Interview: Stephen Kozeniewski

"The Koz", as Stephen has been nicknamed over here at The Bookie Monster, has got to be one of the funniest people in normal conversation that I have interacted with in a while. His attempts to strike up a rivalry with Nikki from Ravenous Reads was a total fail! We have mad love for each other; heck she may even be one of my favorite bloggers, too. =)

Disturbing choice of hobbies there, Koz. At east you know how to answer that question about your garden next time!

Stephen Kozeniewski lives with
his wife and two cats in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the modern zombie. He
was born to the soothing strains of "Boogie With Stu" even though The
Who are far superior to Zep, for reasons that he doesn't even really want to
get into right now.

During his time as a Field Artillery officer, he served for three years in
Oklahoma and one in Iraq, where due to what he assumes was a clerical error, he
was awarded the Bronze Star. The depiction of addiction in his fiction is
strongly informed by the three years he spent working at a substance abuse
clinic, an experience which also ensures that he employs strict moderation when
enjoying the occasional highball of Old Crow.

He is also a classically trained linguist, which sounds much more impressive
than saying his bachelor's degree is in German.

Do you write full time
or do you keep a day job?

I write full time AT my day
job...er...I mean...I'm a good work...guy.

What’s the weirdest
question you’ve ever been asked in an interview?

"How does your garden
grow?"

Do you hear from your
readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

"We loved the
build-a-hooker brothel!"

"We hated when you killed [redacted]!"

"Will there be a sequel?"

How long does it take
you to write a book?

I'd say between 4 and 6 months.

What do you do when you
are not writing?

Masturbate.

What is the best piece
of advice you ever received from another author?

"Don't quit your day job,
kid. For insurance purposes."

-Brian Keene

Do you have any advice
for other writers?

Yes: don't take any advice from
other writers (especially this piece!)

What kind of research
did you do when you were working on your novel?

None ha ha ha ha ha I'm the
worst. Especially considering it's a period piece. My editor did a heck or a
lot of research for me, though, especially on the slang.

In ten words or less:

·
Are you a morning person or a night owl?

o
Ironically, I'm the actual Nite Owl from Watchmen.

·
Biggest fear?

o
Becoming persona non grata on the internet, like Paula Deen.

·
Favorite TV Show?

o
The U.S. version of Life on Mars (sacrilege, I know.)

·
First item on your bucket list?

o
"Write a bucket list."

·If you were a Star Trek® character, which one would it be? Why?

o
Tomalak, because how long shall we stare at each other?

·If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?

o
Same as Ernest: bug juice and burnt meat sandwiches.

·
If you could meet anybody in history, past or present, who would
it be?

o
Uh...The Bookie Monster?

·
The zombie apocalypse has begun. What zombie fighting badass
would you want on your team?